Engine valve operating mechanism



Sept. 22, 1936. R, Ki LEE 2,055,454

ENGINE VALVE OPERATING MEGHANISM Y Filed May 19, 1954 2 vsliee's-sheet 1 y INVENTOR Wager /1.ee.

ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 22, 19.36. R, K, LEE

I' ENGINE VALVE OBERATING MEGHANISM Flled May i179, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

. W A: l

A TTORNEY,

Patented Sept. 22, 1936 ENGINE VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Roger K. Lee, Highland Park, Mich., assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Detroit, Mich., arcorporation of `Delaware l Application May 19,1934, Serial No. 726,489

19 Claims.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and refers more particularly to improvements in valve operating mechanisms for such engmes.

It is an object of my invention to provide improvements in positive actuating mechanisms for valves.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved valve operating means capable of ,operating at relatively high enginespeeds. l

Further objects, of my invention are to increase the efficiency of engine operation; to providea high speed engine valve gear operating with a minimum of vibration or other disturbing forces; and to provide a relatively light weight valve operating mechanism capable of high speed positive operation.

Another object of my invention; according to one embodiment thereof, resides in the provision o of an improved valve operating mechanism adapted to permit self-adjustment of the valve relative to the seat during engine operation; also a mechanismuwherein the various parts are selfaligning. A v

A still further object of my invention is to pro;- vide safety means in the valvegearing adapted to protect the valving mechanism in the event of undue stresses arising in the mechanism.

An additional object of my invention is to proe@ vide safety means for conveniently adjusting the valve relative to its seat.

Other objects of my invention are to provide a positive valve operating mechanism capable of assembly and disassembly with respect to an engine cylinder `without necessitating tearing down the valve operating mechanism or disturbing the cylinder, and also preferably without disturbing the cylinder head; to provide a positive valve operating mechanism including an operating lever capable of assembly or disassembly with or from cam operating means preferably bymoving the operating lever and associated valve operating assembly outwardly in the general direction of the associated cylinder or inwardly and outwardly of the cylinder; to provide an improved arrangement of cylinder and valve operating mechanism capable of expansion and contraction under varying engine temperatures without appreciably altering the valve timing; to provide improvement `in the lubrication of positive valve operating mechanisms preferably by the use of a force feed oiling system; and to provide a valve operating mechanism having an operating connection for the valve stem offset from the axis of the'valve stem with means for taking up the resulting off-axis loading of the valve stem independently of the valve stem.

. Further objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of several illustrative embod- ,5i iments thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Fig.V 1 isV a sectional perspective view through the engine illustrating a typical valve operating mechanism, parts thereof being broken awaytoV 1.0` illustrate the details of construction. A p

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View along the lin 2-2 of Fig. 1.'

Fig. 2A is a detail sectional view along the line 2A-2A of Fig. `1. Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating a modified embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view alongthe line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, reference character A repre- 20 sents the engine having the jacketed cylinder block I and cylinder head II. In Fig. 1 the section is taken through the engine to illustrate a typical cylinder I2 thereof and either the intake or exhaust gas passage I3, it being understood 25 that the valving mechanism for intake .and exhaustlis preferably of similar construction and operation. The cylinder block I0 may have the usual cylinders, one of which is shown at I2, together with the piston lI5 reciprocating therein. 30 The foregoing parts are Well-known in the art and may be of any preferred form.

The passage I3 has a valve seat I6 intermediate the passage and cylinder I2, this seat being periodically engaged by a valve I1 herein illus- 35 trated as the poppet type. `Threadedly mounted in an opening I8 in the cylinder head II is an upwardly or outwardly extending valve stem guide I Shaving an axial bore Yslidably receiving the stem 2| for the valve I1. A vThe. upper 40 end. of the valve stem is threaded to adjustably receive the collar 22 having an annular flange Surrounding the guide I9 in slidable engagement therewith is a downwardlyv open sleeve 24 45 provided at its upper end with an inwardly extending annular flange 25 freely spaced from the stem 2| and engaging the under face of iiange 23. For securing the sleeve 24 to the collarl22 I have provided a cap 26 having an axially per- 50 forated'flange 21 surrounding the collar 22 and bearing downwardly against the liange 23, the .cap 26 having a cylindrical sleeve portion threadedly engaging the upper end of theV sleeve Zallfas shown at 28. l

After the collar 22 has been adjusted on the valve stem 2|, as will be presently more apparent, the collar 22 is secured in position by a lock nut 29 and the cap 26 is preferably locked in position by welding at 30 with the sleeve 24 or by other suitable expedient.

Projecting laterally from the lower end of sleeve 24A is a pin-or crank arm 3| engagedby the bearing portion 32 of a transversely extending hollow rod 33; The rod 33 thus lies olf-center from the axis of sleeve 24 and generally tangentially of said sleeve and valve stem.

The rod 33 forms one member of a telescopic operating linkage, the other member or socket element 34 being bored to slidably receive rod 33, a suitable lubricant packing such .as oil impregnated felt 35 being located within the telescoping members 33Vand 34. The outer end of the member 34 is flattened and is loosely journaledon a pivot shaft 36 which extends longitudinally of the engine in suitable bearings, one lof which is sho-wn at 31. Y

The inner end of thesocket member 34 is provided with a pressed-in bushing( 34a of suitable material adaptedA to take the sliding thrust'on the rod 33 at the region of greatest tendency for wear to take place. The bearings 31 are carried by VsupportingY varms -3'|a and the bearings are split horizontally or transversely to the cylinder axis and provided with bearing caps 3`|b removably secured tothe lower bearing portions 31 by suitable fasteners 31C'. f

For actuating the telescopic linkage 33, 34, I have provided a cam shaft 38 suitably driven in the well-known manner from the engine crank shaftln'ot shown), the cam shaft operating at Y 43 are alsofrlooselyjournaled on the shaft 36.

Extending through vforks 42,V 43V andthe member 34 is a shear pin 45 normally serving to rigidly connect lever 4| with member 34 but adapted to shear in response Vto undue stress Vinthe actuating mechanism to disconnect these parts. 'I'he shaft 36 may receive, at intervals along its length, the various groups of lever forks and telescoping arm members for the variousintake and exhaust valves of'each cylinder where the engine cylinders areA arranged'in line as will be readily under- Y In operation of the valving mechanism of Fig. 1, asjthus far described, the cam shaft 38 is driven in timed relation with the engine crank shaft to positively alternately actuate the valve V|'| away from its seat and to its illustrated Vseated position.` VDuring 'this operation, tlne cam 39 oscillates Vth'e'lever 4| Yabout; the pivot shaft 36, the pin 45 normallyV causing corresponding oscillationof the socket member 34. Y

As'the member 34 oscillates in a vertical plane, the rod l33 is likewise actuated, it being apparent that the lever 4| and members 3433 together forma bell crank lever, the horizontal lever arm Y thereof having-a telescopic driving connection to the `sleeve` 24. Since thevalve stem 2| is verticallyguided in its reciprocation by the guidev I9,

it is apparent that the rod 33 will reciprocate longitudinally in socket 34, the bearing portion 32 having a slight rotation on pin 3| to accommodate the movement of the valve operating parts. The sleeve 24 thus has axial reciprocation on the guide I9, the sleeve acting through the collar 22 to likewise reciprocate the valve stem 2| and valve 1 The flange23 may rotate between flanges 25 and 2l during valve actuation and since the valve stem 2| is locked to collar 22 by the lock nut 29, it will be apparent that the valve I7 will v slightly rotate and maintain a uniform seat free from irregularities which might otherwise give rise to gas leakage past the valve.

ByA loosening the lock nut 29 and holding the collar V22, the valve Astem 2| may be rotated for readily adjusting the valve on its seat I6 for the proper t initially as well as after a period of service. 'Ihe stem 2| lhas a slot 46 at its upper end to receive a screw driver to adjust the valve stem and valve. Y

It will beapparent that my valve actuating mechanism is self-aligning thereby facilitating theV manufacture, assembly, and operation of the parts. 'Minor variations in `distances between centers and axes of theoperating parts are readily compensated for in the mechanism. Thus minor variations in the distance 'between the axes of shaft 36 and valve stern 2| are compensated for at the telescopic connection provided by socket 34 and rod 33; likewise variations in the elevation of shaft 36 relative to sleeve 24 will be compensated for by the rotary connection of bearing 32-and pin 3|.'w` i My valve operating mechanism is capable of improved operation at relatively high engine speed approximately 5,000 to 10,000 R. P. M. although I do not limitmy invention in this respect.

Before describing the lubricating means for my valve operating mechanism, I desire to point out that my valve operating mechanism may be assembled and disassembled with respect to the associated Vengine cylinder without requiring tearing down the valve operating mechanism or disturbing the cylinder or cylinder head. Thus, when it is desired to remove thevalve operating mechanism as a unitary assembly it is only necessary to remove lock nut 29 and bearing caps 3'Ib. The valve stem 2| -is then threaded inwardly to permit the valve Vandvalve stem to fall inwardly suiciently to release the valve stem from engagement with the outer parts carried by sleevei24, the piston lI being in its inward position to accommodate this inward valve' movement. The assembly includingv lever 4I, shaft 36, together with telescoping members 33, 34 and sleeve 24 may then be removed by lifting the assembly upwardly in the general direction of the cylinder axis. vThis assembly may be placed in position by reversing the aforesaid steps, it being apparent-that the assembly is readily connected or disconnected to or from the valve stem.

The preferred arrangement is, according to my drawings, such that the lever arm 4| extends in the general outward direction of the cylinder axis, this arrangement providing a number of. advantages; Thus, the lever 4| is readily inserted or removed to or from operative engagement with cams 39 without requiring anything more rthan merely moving the lever arm'downwardly or upwardly. Furthermore, as the cylinder expands ature variations,the lever 4| is carried with the aosmsgf cylinder` and the follower portion 40" readily` ac-:I commodates such movementw'ithout perceptive alteration'in the valve timing operation.4

It 'will' also be apparent that, while the `rod 33 loads the sleeve `24 laterallyof the axis of the valve stem, the tendency to .load the valve stem with a side thrust is prevented by reason Yof the sleeve 24 bearing on the guide I9, the latter ab-f sorbing'the side thrust so thatonly vertical forces are applied tothe valve stem. The valve stem and sleeve 24 may therefore be made relatively light in weight. Furthermore, by suitably varying the lengths of the sleeve 24 and guide |9,the bearing area may be readily altered to accommodate different speeds "to which `the engine ris vsubjected.

Referring now to my under pressure for distribution to the various telescoping leverarms mounted on the shaft. `If desired, the bore 36a may be a part of `the usualpressure `feed oiling system of the'engine. At

each shaft bearing portion of ,'members 34,- the shaft 36 has Ya radial oilpassage 36lropeningto` the bore of the member 34 as seenl in- Fig. 3.

It will be apparent that the oil in passing from.

bore 36EL to the member 34 will also lubricate the bearing for the member 34 on shaft 36, the oil the pin 3|, the groove being of suilcient arcuate length .to maintain registration withV the conduitA 33C during oscillatory movement of ,bearing 32 on the pin. The bearing betweenpin 3| and thel bearing portion 32 will thus be adequately lubricated..

From the conduit 36 the oil is' conducted to the chamber 36f by aradial passage 36e opening to the groove 36d. chamber 36f^is closed by a disc 36g welded or otherwise secured in place. 1

VThe sleeve 24 has an annular oil groove 36h for supplying lubricant i tothe bearingsurfac'es between the sleeve 24 and guide I 9, the groove 36hY communicating through a passage 36j with. the pin chamber 36f as best seenin Fig. 2.

The oil from groove-36h works upwardly and downwardly in arproperly restricted manner to theupper portionolf valve-stem 2| above guide I9 and to the collector recess 36k provided` in the top of the cylinder headl Il around the base of guide 'I9 whence the oil may be returned-to .the crank case or other suitable point by one or more lateral drain grooves 36m. 1;

Any excess roil which works downwardly between valve stem 2| and guide I9 may bedrained to the collector recess 36k-by the series of passages- In operation, it will be' apparentthat oil underpressure isv continuously supplied to: allI `of the sliding and rotating bearing surfacesfof the valve operating-mechanism. 5 Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs.V 3 and 4, it will bey notedv that many of the partsof` the Avalve'operating mechanism associated with engine A' are similar. in construction; accordingV to theadesignation of lubrication system, it will be noted that the shaft 36 hasa central bore 36?' adapted. to receive .a supply of lubricating oil' The outward end `of the pin such Zparts by thesame reference characters `referred to in'connectionwith the Fig., 1 embodimentand these similar parts need not beV describedg indetail again., y

InFig.. 31the valve Il has a stem 2|' recipro-i cating in verticallyspaced guides 41, 48 of a bracket 49 formed as a part of the cylinder head the valve stem having `a threaded portion 50 intermediate the guides. l Engaging the threads 5|) is a sleeve 24vcarrying the pin or crank arm;3|, the latter being rotatably engaged by the bearing portion 32 of the rod 33.1 The sleeve 24' hasan upwardly opening frusto conical portion 5| receiving a similarly shapedr portion 5240i the locking'nut 53 adjustable on threads 50. Thenut 5,3 has peripheral `wrench engaging. slots 54 to facilitate its locking adjustment and the valve stem`2l' has anadjusting slot 46.'. V i

In operation of the Fig. 3 embodiment, the valve IJ' isreciprocated in guides 4.1, 48, by the valve operating mechanism in a manner generally similar to the Fig. l embodiment, the Fig. 3 embodiment having its reciprocating parts associated with the valve *of` somewhat `light-er weight. Thus, as the socket member 34 is reciprocated by cam 39 and link 4|, the pin 3|' hasareciprocating movement in the direction of the` axis of valve stem 2|'. In Fig. 3 I have omitted thev Fig. l structure for permitting the valve' to slightly rotate' during operation.

, Inadjusting the valve I1' with reference to its seat I6', the nut 53 is loosened from engagement with the conical portion 5|v of sleeve .24 and the valve stem 2|' is given the desiredamount of. rotary adjustment, the stem.moving aixally by reason of the threadsS engaging the non-rotatable sleeve 24'. After adjustment the nut 53 istightened against thezconic-al seat 5| to maintain the adjusted position of the valve stemvwith reference tothe telescopic armof the bell crank lever formed' by lever 4|, forks 44, .43 and the telescoping members 33, 34.

YBefore `describing the details of the lubricating system for the Fig. 3 embodimenuit will be apparent `that many of the advantages set forth in connection with the Fig. l embodiment are also realized inthe Fig. 3 embodiment. Thus, the major portion of the valve operating mechanism may-be readily disassembled with respect to the cylinder andcylinder head by loosening thenut 53` and allowing the valve l1' and stemv 2| to fall inwardly to permit removal of the sleeve 24' andits. pin 3|' from the bearing portion 32'. The Imechanism may then be lifted as a unit, after the bearing caps 31|?Y are removed substantially as aforesaid. VAssembly of the mechanism isaccomplished by reversing the aforesaid steps inthe disassembly.

Furthermora in the Fig. 3 embodiment, the side, thrust on the valve stem 2|` occasioned by the offset pin 3| Ais relieved by the guides 4t and 49 which maybe readily varied in length andY spacing for different cylinder heads to' accommodate different desiredv operating speeds and attendant stress variations in the operating mechanism. 5

Referring now to my-V lubricating system illustrated `the Fig. 3 embodiment, the oil is suppliedV from shaftv passage 36a to the pin chamber 361V just as described in connection'withFig. 1. FromV this pin chamber the oil passes through conduitV `36u to an'annular groove 36 in sleeve 24',the threaded'part 50 of valve stem 2| havingroneor.V more radial openings. 36.1?y arrangedfso that communication is always established ..be, tween groove36 and an axial passage '361 which' is drilled through the valve stem to a pointop posite the bearing guide 41.

' vention, asset forth in the appended claims,

and it is not my intention to limit my invention Vto the particular details olf construction and operation shown and described herein for illustrative purposes. Y

what I daim is: s

l; In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a threaded stem, a pin projecting laterally from said stem, means engaging said stem threads for attaching said pin to said st em, said pin Ybeing disposed at a -pointrinterfmediate thelength of said stem, an actuating element rotatably connectedto said pin, a'lever member telescopically connected to said actuating elelaterally from said stem at a point intermediateV the length of said stem, a sleeve carrying saidzpm, Y

ment, and means including a cam forrpositively reciprocating said lever member.

- 2. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stem threaded intermediate its length, a pin projecting laterally from said stem, a sleeve carrying said pin and surrounding said stem, means engagingisaid stem threads `for securing said sleeve to said stem, andV means Vfor positively reciprocating said pin. v

3. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve'having a threaded stem, a pin projecting means for adjustably supporting said sleeve on the threads of said valve stem, and means for positively reciprocating said pin.

. '4.In an engine valve operating'mechanism,

f a valve, valve operating means including a bell crank lever adapted j to positively reciprocate said valve, and means for,l releasing the drive through said valve operating means in response to a predetermined resistanceto operation-of sald Y valve, said releasing means comprising a shear pin normally connecting one of the arms of said lever to the other arm. Y Y v Y f 5. In an engine valve operating mechanism,- a valve, a hollow actuating member, a rod member telescopically received by said hollow member, a bushing carried by and within said hollow member in sliding contact with said rod member, said bushing being disposed adjacent the outer end of said hollow 'memben means for operably connecting one of said members. to ,saidV valve for'positi've'ly reciprocating the valve, and means for operating the other of said members in timed relation with the engine. v

6. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve, arhollow actuating member, a rod member telescopically received by said hollow member, means for operably connecting one of said members 'to said valve for positively reciprocating the valve, means for operating the .other oflsaid members in timed relation with the engine, and

Thus, within the` range of minor adjustment of the valve Il', the

lubricating means for said members contained withinone of said members.

7. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stemportion, means for axially guiding said stem for reciprocation of -said valve, a sleeve through which said stem projects, means for securing said sleeve to said stem in a plurality of positions of adjustment relatively thereto longitudinally of said stem, a pin carried by said sleeve and projecting laterally therefrom substantially perpendicular to the axis of said stem, a Arod'havinga bearing portion rotatably receiving said pin, said rod extending substantially perpendicular, to the axis of said pin and generally tangentiallyef said sleeve, an actuating member having a socket portion telescopically receiving said rod for axial movement relative to said actuating member, a shaft extending longitudinally of the engine, said actuating member having an outer end pivotally supported by said shaft, a substantially vertical lever having upwardly terminating forked portions pivoted onsaid shaft, said forked portions being spaced axially ofvsaid shaft to receive said outer end of the actuating member therebetween, a

shear pin extending through said forked portions andsaid actuating member to releasably connect said lever with said actuating member, said lever having a `cam follower portion at its lower end, and a cam operating said follower portion to positively oscillate saidflever on said shaft.

8. In anengine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stem, a stationary guide member having an axial bore slidably receiving said stem to guide .reciprocation thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on said guide member, means for connecting said stem to said sleeve whereby said stem is held against axial movement relative to the sleeve but is free to rotate about its axis, a pin carriedby said'sleeve, and means for positively reciprocating said pin in the direction of the axis of said valve stem.

9'. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stem, means for guiding said stem for reciprocation, said stem having a threaded portion intermediate its ends, a sleeve threaded to said stem portion and having a frusto conical recess, a lock nut threaded to said stem portion and engaging said recess, a pin carried by said sleeve, and means for positively reciprocating saidpin in the direction of the axis of said valve stem. Y

10. In anY engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stem, means including a pin connected to'said stem for lpositively operating the valve, said pin being oiTset from the axis of said stem, and guide means for said stem adapted to relieve Vsaid stem of the side thrust tending to be produced thereon by said offset pin.

l1. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stern, means including a pin connected to said stem for positively reciprocating said valve, means including an actuating element connected to said' pin for actuating said pin, and means for supplying lubricant under pressure through said actuating element to lubricate said element and pin connection.

12. In lan engine valve operating mechanism, a valve having a stem, said stem having an axial passage, means for .guiding said stem, a'pin connectedv to said stem for positively reciprocating said. valve, means for actuating said pin, and means for supplying lubricant under pressure through saidv pin and valve stem passage to lubricate said'stem guiding means.y

13. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a Valve having a stern, means for guiding reciprocation of said stem, means including relatively slidable members for positively reciprocating said stem, and means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said stem guiding means and to said slidable members.

14. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a poppet valve having a stem, a sleeve surrounding said stern, means for securing said sleeve to said stem, a cantilever crank pin carried by and forming a rigid portion of said sleeve and having its axis perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem, said crank pin being disposed at a point intermediate the length of said valve stem, said crank pin projecting laterally from said sleeve and stem, and means timed with the engine and including a lever having slidably connected arm portions for reciprocating said crank pin in the general direction of the valve stem axis.

15. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a poppet valve having a stem, a sleeve surrounding said stem, means for securing said sleeve to said stem, a cantilever crank pin carried by and forming a rigid portion of said sleeve and having its axis perpendicular to the axis of the valve stem, said crank pin being disposed at a point intermediate the length of said valve stem, said crank pin projecting laterally from said sleeve and stem, and means timed with the engine and including a bell crank lever having one lever arm thereof formed of telescoping relatively slidable portions for reciprocating said crank pin in the general direction of the valve stem axis.

16. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a poppet valve having a stem, a sleeve surrounding said stem, means for connecting the outer end of said sleeve to said stem adjacent the outer end thereof, a crank pin projecting laterally outwardly from said sleeve adjacent the inner end thereof, and means timed with the engine for positively reciprocating said crank pin in the general direction of the valve stem axis.

17. In an engine valve operating mechanism, a poppet valve having a stem, a sleeve surrounding said stem, means for connecting one end of said sleeve to said stem adjacent one end thereof, a crank pin projecting laterally outwardly from said sleeve adjacent the other end thereof, means timed with the engine for positively reciprocating said crank pin in the general direction of the valve stem axis, and a stationary cylindrical guide for said stem and sleeve projecting beyond the last said end of said sleeve.

18. In an engine valve operating mechanism,

a poppet valve having a stem projecting outwardly from said valve, a guide bracket carried by the engine and providing a slidable bearing for the outer end of said stem, a sleeve secured to said stern inwardly from said bearing, a crank pin carried by said sleeve and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom, and means for reciprocating said crank pin in the general direction of the valve stem axis.

19. In an engine having a ported cylinder head, a valve controlling said port and having a stern projecting outwardly of said head, a bracket projecting outwardly from said head to provide a bearing for the outer end of said stern, a stern reciprocating member, means for removably attaching said member to said stem intermediate said head and bearing, and means for imparting reciprocaiton to said member to positively reciprocate said valve.

ROGER K. LEE. 

